Check out how Skittles are made at a candy factory in Yorkville

Skittles production began in greater Chicago in 2016 after previously being made solely in Waco, Texas. They are now produced in an expanded plant in Yorkville along with brands like Life Savers, Doublemint and Juicy Fruit.

Production of Skittles, the colorful fruit-flavored treat, expanded to a Yorkville plant operated by Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. in 2016. Skittles, which were previously made solely in Waco, Texas, are now produced in a Yorkville plant along with brands like Life Savers, Doublemint and Juicy Fruit.

Skittles production begins at a mixing station, where five large mixers develop the five signature flavors. Skittles at this point, before being put into molds to harden, look like sticky cake batter.

Next, the candies head to a panning station, where Skittles, still separated by color, travel down a conveyor belt and the misshapen or irregular candies are weeded out.

Skittles then head to the packing station, where they are pushed through tubes in the ceiling and dispensed into the packing machine. Every piece of candy — which individually is called a “lentil” — goes through a four- to six-hour process to add its color.

Skittles were created in the United Kingdom and originally called “Glees.” They were exported to the U.S. in the 1970s. “Taste the Rainbow” has been the brand’s tagline since 1988.